by Shelby Lynn
Great, dandy, and where the fuck did that leave him? Being fired from his job, being accused of thievery and covering up a crime was like having his career implode right in from of him. In addition, Ian was spewing creepy weird shit, which pissed him off. He was going to have to go back to Ian’s father and ask for a job. It was pathetic.
Shit, he hadn’t been on his own since he met Ian. They were best friends. It was strange how it all came about. They met in college and were the only two gay men on the floor. They were not attracted to each other at all. They were like brothers. Trent finally had someone to talk to and not feel as if he was being judged. His family disowned him and his childhood friends shunned him. When he went to college, he had hoped to start a new life, which he did. Meeting Ian had been the best thing that ever happened to him. Ian’s family took him in and treated him as though he was a long lost family member.
When the Dean of the College came to him, told him Ian was suspected of stealing and being involved in some kind of smuggling ring, Trent had laughed. Then they showed him the proof. A tape showed Ian reaching for a stolen artifact that had surfaced. Trent assured the Board of Regents that Ian would never have stolen it. Instead, they had accused him of covering for his friend, so he told them to fuck off and walked out of the University. Never actually thinking they would fire him too. He left to try to prove his friend’s innocence, but when he had been unable to find him, his anger had grown.
Ian called him to say he was in Ireland, great, fine, if that’s where the hell he really was. However, it wasn’t. Trent knew his friend had lied to him, but he never thought he’d gone mad. In the past hour, Trent tried to get his friend away from the people who he came with. If he could talk some sense into him, maybe they stood a chance.
Trent thought Ian was being influenced by a cult. At least, that’s what these men appeared to be like. Blake, the leader, was very charismatic, and the rest of the men seemed to do everything he said. It was more than a little strange. Two of the men even bowed to Blake, what in the hell was that about? Then there was the large man who was looking at him with such intensity, he felt like a bug under a microscope. When he got close to anyone, the man had stepped forward as if in warning to the other men. He had no idea what was going on. Maybe they were going to try to brainwash him too. At this point, anything was possible.
He may need to send Ian to one of those deprograming groups. The movie he had seen was the one where they took the person, secluded him or her somewhere and deprogrammed them. It was ugly and could be actually painful. When a cult got their hooks into you, it could screw you up.
Hell, now he was out of a job, and although he had a lot of money saved up, there was no way he would be able to survive unless he found another one. How was he going to get help without money? Ian’s parents would not be able to be brought into this. That would be a political nightmare. Shit. He had been the Head of the Department, how did that slip through his fingers so quickly? The assholes never even wanted to listen to him. It was as if they had made their minds up before they even saw the video. Maybe their insurance would cover this if he could prove to the Regents that Ian was brainwashed. Crap, he was kidding himself.
Trent had to accept the fact they were probably happy that Ian and him were gone. They had been the only two gay men on the faculty. It was sad to think they would be happy to see them go if it were for that reason only. Trent really thought that Ian and he had finally found a home where they would not discriminated against. Maybe he was wrong, but it was feeling a little like a fucking set up.
His mind was going a mile a minute, trying to think of a way out of this mess. When they arrived to the study, Trent paused and made sure the door was locked behind him. Ian raised an eyebrow at him.
“Trent, let me tell you a little story,” Ian laughed, slapping him on the back.
“Dude, I really don’t need story time, I need to find a fucking job, and you need to get help. Man, this is beyond crazy,” Trent said warily.
“Maybe I can help you with that, well, at the least the job part. As for the other, we will talk about that too, but you have to keep an open mind,” Ian laughed, and waited for his friend to nod in agreement before he continued, “Okay, I told you part of the shit that went down a few weeks ago. Let me tell you the rest. When I was at the Museum that night, something happened, something strange and fucking unbelievable. The coin everyone is accusing me of stealing was not an artifact. It was a transport device, used by people in different Stratums.”
“Ian, did they drug you or something?” Trent asked his best friend worriedly and looked into his eyes. “Cause I swear if they did, I will kick their ass and make them sorry for ever fucking with us. I think we need to call someone, and get him or her over here right now. We can have you away from these guys in a few minutes.”
Trent pulled his cell phone from his pocket and began to search the Internet with it to find what he was looking for. How in the hell did you search for ‘deprogrammers’? He just typed in what he thought would pull up the information as Ian pulled the phone from his hands.
He laughed and slapped his best friend on the back of the head. They had been together for so long he forgot sometimes they were friends because he thought of Ian as family. His friend had the benefit of having a supportive family, while Trent didn’t. In fact, his family was a bunch of fucking lunatics and pricks. Trent had gone home with Ian on all breaks and holidays, just to avoid staying in the dorms by himself.
Trent had not told Ian the extent of his abuse as a child. It was easier to tell Ian that his family didn’t like gays and kicked him out when he came out to them. It was true, even if his father had always suspected. When Trent went to a gay pride parade, his father flipped. Trent knew he still bore the scars of that beating. Since that day, the beatings became more frequent. He could almost hear his father telling him as he whipped him that he was unnatural, a freak. Telling Trent all he had to do was accept that being gay was not an option, find a cute girl, fuck her, and then marry her. Then all would be right in the family.
His mother ignored it. When Trent had asked for her help, she smiled, told him to do what his father asked and it would be all right. Bullshit, he had tried, it was not all right, he chose a girl and tried to do what was asked of him, but it had been awkward. His brother told his father what the girl had said at school the next day. That had been the last straw. He refused to change what he was in order to please his parents. Therefore, he endured the beatings, but made sure his grades were exemplary, which paid off when he graduated and then received acceptance into a prestigious college. Fuck them, he borrowed and worked to be where he was today. Finding Ian and his parents had been a godsend. They gave him something he needed, support and acceptance.
Even though his friend’s parents loved Trent, there had been a time when they thought Ian and Trent were actually dating. Both of the men had laughed and set them straight. From their first meeting, it was as if they were long lost brothers. His parents accepted Trent and welcomed him into the fold of their family. He was surprised a little, since Ian’s father was in politics. It was bad enough Ian was gay, but to have his friend in the limelight also, had been unheard of.
Only the strongest men of character could withstand the backlash from having a gay son or daughter in the world of politics. Ian’s father and mother had supported Trent, just the same as they had done for their own children. For that, he was going to make sure Ian was taken care of.
Trent frowned at his friend and clenched his fists. Maybe if he knocked him out, he could make the call and escape through the window. The fire escape was right there. Trent was strong enough to make it down carrying his friend, which was one thing he knew for sure. His strength from working out would enable them to make a run for it.
“Bro, they didn’t drug me. I’m telling you the truth. Listen. There are seven different Stratums, ours, which they refer to as the Human Stratum, not too pressed for the imagination. Then there are the W
izards, Witches, and Warlocks Stratum, that is where Blake, my mate is from. He is the King of the Stratum, and I know it sounds crazy, but I will come back to this. I haven’t met Shifters yet, you know from the Shifter Stratum. Yes, I said Shifter, then there are the Elves, the Trolls, the Paladin, and the Fae,” Ian said slowly.
“Okay, I get it. Let’s call your parents and talk to them about this, I mean this is a big thing for you to be leaving for, what did you call it? Stratum. And mated to the King, well that is awesome,” Trent said easing toward the phone Ian set on the table. He had heard not to make sudden movements when talking to someone who had a psychotic breakdown, or was under mind control. His friend had, there was no other explanation. Trent looked into his friend’s eyes for any indication he had gone mad. There was none, only an amused gaze that was beginning to freak him out.
Shit, all this time he had been covering for his friend. Thinking he was just having fun with a new man. Really hoping his friend had found someone who he could spend the rest of his life. He trusted his friend’s call because Ian had never given him cause to think he was unstable. He knew this man and there was nothing he could not do. He was like Superman without the cape and he had told him that. Trent liked to think he was a lot like Ian.
He would make sure his friend had the best care. These men were obviously taking advantage of him. Well, that was fucking gonna stop. Trent was going to call Ian’s parents first, and then he would call the police to deal with these assholes. When Trent ran out of options, calling Ian’s parents was the only thing he could do.
“Trent, knock it off and listen. Blake is the King of the Trivet or Wizard Stratum, and he is a Wizard. I am trying to tell you this shit fast before Logan, Blake’s brother, has an aneurism. When I went to the Museum and grabbed ahold of the guy with the coin, we ended up in this other place. It looked a lot like New York but in a strange, freaky ass way. You will see, but listen first. The mate thing. I am Blake’s mate, which means I am the King’s Consort. I am heading up the Education Division there and I could really use your help. However, that will also be explained later. Mating, with Wizards is like crazy, they give you power, you also share their life span and everything. Some of the Stratums have been around long before this one. Humans are behind the power curve a little on some things.
“The man who was staring at you was Logan. He’s Blake’s brother, and the head of the Stratum’s security, a real big deal. I don’t know if he has a title, we can ask. Anyway, he’s your mate,” Ian said. “I need you to go to your apartment and pack some stuff. We really don’t have a lot of time for explanations. Nevertheless, there’s something going on. Someone has decided they are going to try to take over all the Stratums and it is a mess, once again something you have to hear about later, we just don’t have the time to fuck around here.”
Trent nodded as if he was listening to everything his friend was saying, which he was, just not believing any of it. Ian had seriously had a break from reality. He needed help and quick. He knew Ian’s father would make the arrangements quickly. Then Trent was going to wait to call the police because he was going to beat the shit out of the guys who did this.
He was not a small man, standing six foot three inches; he was huge to most people. Trent knew he could be intimidating if he wanted to, and he really wasn’t afraid to do it. His shoulders were broad and his thighs muscular from the exercises he did. Trent stayed fit and trim. He had a six-pack, which extremely impressed his boyfriends. When he played basketball or football, which he loved, he had no problem keeping up with the young bucks.
“Trent, I am fucking serious, knock it off. I can see how your brain is working. You think I am nuts and you are trying to think how you can get to the phone and call someone. Then you are going to try to kick Blake’s ass for giving me drugs or something,” Ian said dryly.
Trent paused and looked at his friend. He sounded sane when he said shit like this. Then Ian had to open his mouth again.
“This is fucking real. I can show you if you stop being a pain in my ass for more than thirty seconds,” Ian said.
“Really?” Trent said deciding to wait to defuse the situation, right, that is something he also read. Maybe if he calmed his friend down, and really talked to him, he would be able talk some reason into Ian. He did not want his parents to commit him, which would suck and not be helpful to his cause of proving his innocence. Although, a plea of insanity may work.
Ian sighed and put his head down, “How long have we been friends?”
“Fifteen years, give or take,” Trent said automatically.
“In all those years, have I ever, ever taken a drug?” Ian asked calmly.
“No, but you may not know they were doing it. Let’s just get your blood tested,” Trent argued.
“Man, you are my best friend, I have already told the parents, call them. I showed them. Now calm the fuck down and listen. Logan is hot, nice and the best part, Blake’s brother, which means you will live in the Castle with me. We can hang out and work together like we have been. Beer night, everything. Just please listen and go. I don’t want to leave you, and I think Logan would flip out. We were only given a short period of time to be here,” Ian said. He then whistled loudly and the large men unlocked the door somehow and entered.
Trent looked at them in surprise. He knew the door didn’t not have a key because it was only able to lock from the inside. Trent’s eyes instantly shot to the man who was staring at him again. Damn, his eyes, they were fucking amazing. They were the funkiest shade of blue he had ever seen, almost purple. His thick, light brown or dark blond hair was cut into a short high and tight, which Trent did love. It made him seem as if he was in charge. He was sexy too.
Was he really thinking about one of the cult members as hot? Really, ‘cause it seemed like he possibly was being brainwashed right now. Shit, maybe they put something in his drink, or maybe they used hypnosis, thought Trent.
Trent turned and closed his eyes, refusing to make eye contact with them, as well as throwing the drink Ian gave him away.
Chapter One
What in the hell had he gotten into to? After the men had come into the room, things had gotten out of control. It seemed like he wasn’t going to be able to get his friend alone for any period of time. All of Ian’s belongings had been packed, and as Trent argued and fought, they moved to his place. Trent only lived a few blocks from his friend. When they went out to walk to his place, Trent thought maybe they would be able to get someone’s attention. Nevertheless, the streets were quiet, while Ian and Blake held onto each one of his arms explaining things rapidly to him as they walked. It felt as if his head was fuzzy. It was disconcerting, and the only reason for it was the fact he had probably been drugged. Nothing else explained the ease in which he moved with the strangers. Trent knew he would have fought and kicked some ass if everything had been working correctly.
“You have got to be fucking kidding me,” Trent said trying to stay focused on the task─to escape. However, he couldn’t help but think they were bat shit crazy as they explained how they would cross through some gate/doorway thing when they all touched this coin. At first, Trent would feel disoriented. His eyes would feel like they were playing tricks on him, the light, and then the dark. The feeling of falling, and his stomach would be ready to empty. Maybe he shouldn’t have finished the beer in the fridge, just in case they drugged him too.
Ian joined him while they watched the packing of his pathetic life. He could feel the frustration. Trent had argued, but Ian pointed out that even if he didn’t believe what he was saying, Ian wanted him to move to his condo, so packing his shit and bring it back to Ian’s had been fairly simple. Only his books, which held First Editions of some of his favorite books, had been important. Trent had yelled at the overgrown bully who insisted he pack his ‘mate’s clothes’. Trent had rolled his eyes and then went to have a beer with his friend in the sparse kitchen. At least he never had gotten around to actually filling his cabinet with d
ishes and glasses.
Trent didn’t have a family who came over to visit or a boyfriend since he hadn’t dated in a few years. He had been into getting his career off the ground. Now, it looked like he was going to have to make some room in his little world. Ian was explaining to him about the people who he had been living with. He wasn’t sure if Ian was still delusional because he spoke so intelligently about this thing called a Stratum. It was a different plane of existence, the possibility this could ever happen was overwhelming. Trent was asking some hard questions, and his friend was answering them honestly.
“So, I don’t get it. We all have to hold on to this coin thing, so how does all of our stuff get back?” Trent asked and frowned. Ha, he had his friend on that one. There was no way Ian could explain that.
Ian rolled his eyes and said, “Really, you are gonna try the logic thing on me? Okay, I will play along. This is what happens. We get all of this stuff together, packed and it will be in my apartment. They are opening a larger than normal door. Sasha, who is Blake and Logan’s sister, is the head of the Division of Transport. She hands out the coins that we use to travel. Many of the people use these coins to do their merchant business. There are many levels to the coin. If you have a bluish tinted coin, it is for people, making the yellow, which is what we have, open a larger door. Then Sasha will be able to transport our belongings into a large room in the Palace,” Ian said smugly.
Trent frowned at his friend and tried to figure out if what he said was even possible. Why the hell was he even thinking about this? It was not possible! It was crazy.
“Hey, we’re ready,” Logan said as Blake stood behind him grinning. Trent looked between his friend and the man who he called ‘mate’ now. He was so confused. Ian stood up and went to stand next to the man whom he said he was spending the rest of his extended life with. Trent rolling his eyes as his friend did just a few minutes ago, caused Ian to hold up his hands in surrender.
